The Diversified Difference
Ours is a team approach.
Tailored strategies for perpetuating and enhancing wealth, planning your legacy, or advancing philanthropic missions entail careful design and sustained execution.
Often these goals are multi-faceted and complex, requiring the expertise of a number of specialists.
We coordinate with your existing professional partners to leverage the best thinking and create efficiencies. When needed, we select independent specialists to consult on discrete issues. You benefit from this continuity of management and applied expertise: the best of all worlds.
Ultimately, it is about peace of mind.



Our People
Board of Directors
- Larry H. Bryan
Founder and Principal - Sue W. Cole
Director - William P. Crawford, Jr.
Director - Meg T. Crosby
Director - Kim D. Garcia, CPA/PFS
Principal and Director of Client Experience - T. Lee Gibson
President and Chief Operating Officer - Michael A. Gragnani, CFP®
Managing Principal - Samuel N. Graham
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - Brook H. Lester, CPA
Managing Principal and Chief Wealth Strategist
We are your first call and partner in financial endeavors, and we are with you every step of the way.
The Diversified Trust Approach
OUR QUESTIONS ARE SIMPLE:
What is important to you? What causes you to worry? What are your goals and how can we help achieve them?
Your answers become the foundation of our shared effort to define what is most important for you, your family, and your legacy. Because your priorities and interests are unique, your plan is customized to meet your specific goals. We bring a dedicated team of multi-disciplined professionals to manage the complexity. This allows you to see — and more importantly — enjoy the big picture.
Why Diversified Trust?
A Local Focus
Our Principals are long term residents of their communities and serve on boards of numerous civic, educational and religious institutions.
Privately Owned
Diversified Trust takes pride in being 100% owned by employees. Our incentives align with our clients due to the fact we have no affiliations with outside organizations.
Select Clientele
We create crafted wealth solutions for:
- Individuals and multi-generation families
- Foundations and endowments
- Family-owned businesses
- Single-family offices
- Retirement Plans
Independent Trust Company
We are one of the largest independent trust companies in the Southeast. Our full trust powers serve as an alternative to bank and brokerage firm trust departments.
Interdisciplinary
Professional Backgrounds
Our diverse and experienced team covers a full spectrum of financial services including:
- Investment Management and Consulting
- Trust and Estate Administration
- Estate and Tax Planning
- Family Owned Business Advisory
- Foundation and Endowment Management
- Retirement Plan Management
- Investment Banking
Safety and Soundness
As a regulated trust company, all client assets are held at third party custodians. Independent audits are conducted by KPMG. Additionally, we have fiduciary insurance coverage for the benefit of our clients.
Diversified Trust provides the big picture advice I really need.
-Family Patriarch and Successful Entrepreneur